Oakland Raiders to interview Eagles offensive coordinator Shurmur for head coach position

Dallas Cowboys v Philadelphia Eagles

MITCHELL LEFF, GETTY IMAGES

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec 14, 2014 in Philadelphia. Shurmur will be interviewed for the head coaching position with the Oakland Raiders.

Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec 14, 2014 in Philadelphia. Shurmur will be interviewed for the head coaching position with the Oakland Raiders. (MITCHELL LEFF, GETTY IMAGES)

Owner Mark Davis said the Raiders began making requests of teams with byes in the playoffs to interview prospective candidates, declining to name them. Among other coaches who could be targets include Denver coordinators Adam Gase (offense) and Jack Del Rio (defense), Green Bay offensive coordinator Tom Clements, New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

"I get it," Sparano said of the skepticism about his candidacy. "I can't speak for Mark, but I'm confident and I know which direction this is headed. There is a lot of work to be done here right now, and by God, I want that work to be for me, for this organization."

Sparano has plenty of support in the locker room from veterans such as defensive end Justin Tuck, defensive tackle Antonio Smith and free safety Charles Woodson, all of whom advocated his elevation to full time coach.

While Davis reportedly had set his sights on a "rock star" head coach, two candidates with that description -- ESPN analyst Jon Gruden and former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh -- were off the market before the Raiders got going in the process.

Gruden signed a six-year extension with ESPN and Harbaugh, after parting ways with the 49ers, was introduced Tuesday as head coach at the University of Michigan.

Shurmur is the nephew of former Packers defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur, who worked with Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie in Green Bay.

Sparano has his sights set on staying where he is.

"All I want to do right now is be head coach of the Oakland Raiders," Sparano said. "How badly' Very, very badly. This is my team. I left my team today and I'm looking forward to starting over with them. Those decisions will be made down the road."